Its been months (or has it been a year) that I haven't been very active on my blog. There were many ideas in mind, some completely clear in the form of sentences and paragraphs too but somehow never made it to this blog. Finally, I have found time to get off my bed and out of my laziness and have put some of those thoughts here.
Its been almost half a year that I have been in Canada now, away from my home and my family. To say that this has been an exciting journey would be an understatement. The experiences I have got here are completely different than those I would have got in India. I met different people and came to know about their various experiences which were so distinct from mine. Food wise it has been a totally satisfying journey as I have tasted home cooked Persian, Moroccan, Korean and of course Indian food. Hoping to taste many such different cuisines here! I have also learnt many things about myself which I was unaware of- one of them being that I am horrible with directions!! Would never have learnt this in the city where I have spent 23 years of my life!
I also found a vast difference between the country of my origin and the country of my current residence. The difference wasn't just in the way of life but in the way people and authorities behave. The first experience I had was when I went to open a bank account in a local bank. They asked for my passport as identification and there was a 20 Rs note in the passport left by mistake. The bank officer smiled and gave me my money back saying 'You know, we don't take bribes here!' (Impressions foreigners have of India... But this in some other blog! )
Another difference was the way unknown people smile at you on roads, say how are you and make random talk about your well-being in cafes and restaurants. Coming from a country where I am trained to be suspicious of all things around me, I kept on finding some possible intention that people might have in thanking a bus driver after a bus ride.
This made me think about the differences in attitudes of the people in both countries. The way a country turns out to be depends a lot on the people in that country. It is said that an Indian in America wont spit on the roads there but he will on the roads when he comes back to India. Is that a fear of authorities or just imitation of people there? Whatever it is, it is working well for the country. Agreed that the government in India isn't an ideal one, but are we as people doing enough to make the country better? For example Government has put over-bridges on roads with extra traffic but still people prefer crossing the roads in the heavy traffic endangering their own lives. The under-walk pavement on major intersections for people to cross the road are unused and the photo frames used to decorate the under-walk are stolen. There are sketches and hearts on public monuments and tobacco stains in buses and trains. I doubt people know what zebra crossings are meant for because nobody even thinks of waiting behind one.
Of course in our huge population it is impossible to expect people to stand in a line while getting on a bus or a train as it is done here. That would only mean missing the means of transport. How difficult is it to go at 80 kmph speed limit on the expressway and not speed above it? But only blaming the government will do us no good.
What we are lacking as people of India is basic civic sense. If everybody tries to follow and abide by the basic rules and regulations laid down, there will be more discipline. It would ensure that atleast whatever amenities are in place are utilized to their maximum potential.
We have proved that we have a great culture. We have stood together when people around us needed us the most- be it during the Mumbai floods when people gave food and drinks to others affected by the floods, Mumbai attacks where the National Security guards were felicitated by common people for fishing out all the terrorists from The Taj or the recent Delhi rape case when people came on the streets fighting for justice for the victim. All we need is a little discipline, a need to believe that the country is your home and a little more empathy for people at all times. This is what we can do, according to me, from our side to take the step from being a developing country to being a developed one!
Its been almost half a year that I have been in Canada now, away from my home and my family. To say that this has been an exciting journey would be an understatement. The experiences I have got here are completely different than those I would have got in India. I met different people and came to know about their various experiences which were so distinct from mine. Food wise it has been a totally satisfying journey as I have tasted home cooked Persian, Moroccan, Korean and of course Indian food. Hoping to taste many such different cuisines here! I have also learnt many things about myself which I was unaware of- one of them being that I am horrible with directions!! Would never have learnt this in the city where I have spent 23 years of my life!
I also found a vast difference between the country of my origin and the country of my current residence. The difference wasn't just in the way of life but in the way people and authorities behave. The first experience I had was when I went to open a bank account in a local bank. They asked for my passport as identification and there was a 20 Rs note in the passport left by mistake. The bank officer smiled and gave me my money back saying 'You know, we don't take bribes here!' (Impressions foreigners have of India... But this in some other blog! )
Another difference was the way unknown people smile at you on roads, say how are you and make random talk about your well-being in cafes and restaurants. Coming from a country where I am trained to be suspicious of all things around me, I kept on finding some possible intention that people might have in thanking a bus driver after a bus ride.
This made me think about the differences in attitudes of the people in both countries. The way a country turns out to be depends a lot on the people in that country. It is said that an Indian in America wont spit on the roads there but he will on the roads when he comes back to India. Is that a fear of authorities or just imitation of people there? Whatever it is, it is working well for the country. Agreed that the government in India isn't an ideal one, but are we as people doing enough to make the country better? For example Government has put over-bridges on roads with extra traffic but still people prefer crossing the roads in the heavy traffic endangering their own lives. The under-walk pavement on major intersections for people to cross the road are unused and the photo frames used to decorate the under-walk are stolen. There are sketches and hearts on public monuments and tobacco stains in buses and trains. I doubt people know what zebra crossings are meant for because nobody even thinks of waiting behind one.
Of course in our huge population it is impossible to expect people to stand in a line while getting on a bus or a train as it is done here. That would only mean missing the means of transport. How difficult is it to go at 80 kmph speed limit on the expressway and not speed above it? But only blaming the government will do us no good.
What we are lacking as people of India is basic civic sense. If everybody tries to follow and abide by the basic rules and regulations laid down, there will be more discipline. It would ensure that atleast whatever amenities are in place are utilized to their maximum potential.
We have proved that we have a great culture. We have stood together when people around us needed us the most- be it during the Mumbai floods when people gave food and drinks to others affected by the floods, Mumbai attacks where the National Security guards were felicitated by common people for fishing out all the terrorists from The Taj or the recent Delhi rape case when people came on the streets fighting for justice for the victim. All we need is a little discipline, a need to believe that the country is your home and a little more empathy for people at all times. This is what we can do, according to me, from our side to take the step from being a developing country to being a developed one!
